Anwar makes a point at his ceramah last night.
BANTING, July 26 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim declared last night that he would announce in a week or two his plan to run for Parliament.
By that time, he said, he would also have some Barisan Nasional MPs from Sabah and Sarawak to join him — to make good his prediction to form the federal government by Malaysia Day.
"I want to see how much they (BN) are willing to spend (in the by-election). By that time (the by-election), our friends from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsular would be joining us," Anwar told a crowd of thousands at the Jugra stadium in Kuala Langat, about 100km from Kuala Lumpur, late last night.
He added that it was necessary for him and the federal opposition to take over the government because the country was facing an economic crisis caused by BN's mismanagement."I can tell you that things will get worse in two months," he told the cheering crowd.
For the first time also, Anwar admitted that the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat had somewhat failed to convince the rural Malays to support the coalition.
"Based on our findings, the poor trusts Umno more," he said, urging his staunch supporters, mainly teachers and civil servants, to explain to the villagers Pakatan's struggle.
He reminded them to persuade the rural Malays the need to reject Umno's propaganda that the opposition coalition was trying to undermine Malay rights.
"Umno leaders are saying they are trying to protect the Malays because now they are at their weakest. But let me tell you this that it is too late for them. I am Malay but a responsible and cultured one. I will never stop from helping the Malays to progress," he added.
The former deputy prime minister, who was also the founder member of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), assured the crowd that Pakatan's aim to uphold justice was Islamic in nature.
A section of the crowd who came to hear Anwar speak last night.
Anwar also told the crowd that the latest sodomy allegation against him would not derail his plan to take over the government.
"They can put me in jail, stripped me but they cannot stop my programme to benefit the people. I do not wish to be the Prime Minister to enrich myself. I will be damned if I do that," he declared to the multiracial crowd that had waited for him since 9pm.
"I will fight, as I know there is no evidence, this is just a wild accusation, and I have enough witnesses. I have fought with dragons and these people are just lizards, and the people will reject this latest allegation," he said.
Despite the harsh words against his accusers, Anwar said he was in a forgiving mood. "I have forgiven (Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad). He is senile. (Tan Sri) Mohtar Abdullah (the Attorney-General in 1998) is no longer with us and (Tan Sri) Rahim Noor (the former Inspector-General of Police) is retired. We want to move forward, let bygones be bygones."
Adding to his plea, Anwar also reminded the crowd to seek divine intervention. "Let us hold solat hajat (prayers seeking God's help) and readings of the Surah Yasin (a Quranic chapter asking for God's help), to ask God to save the country. We can only plan but God will decide," he said.
Anwar criticised the government for allegedly discriminating minority groups including the Chinese and Indians, saying that no country could progress by discriminating its citizens.
He also took the opportunity to deny that the opposition coalition was collapsing due to the Pas-Umno unity talks. "It is not a problem to meet anyone but it must be based on the principle of justice."
Malaysian Insider
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